In an effort to reduce the alarming number of accidents involving teen drivers, California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has initiated a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program in which first-time drivers must achieve certain milestones prior to obtaining their unrestricted California driver license. One of the first steps on your path to your California driver's license is to obtain your provisional permit, which is commonly referred to as a learner's permit. Below you will learn what to expect during the GDL process, including details about CA Online Driver's Ed and why you should take an online CA Permit Practice Test. Print Now ». Need a Drivers Permit Checklist. Print out our DMV.

org Driver's Permit Checklist and be fully prepared when visiting the DMV office. You'll have all the step-by-step instructions, forms, and fees needed to make getting your Driver's Permit as Easy as 1-2-3.

New to California. If you have completed Driver's Ed and driver training outside of California, an out-of-state learner's permit is not considered acceptable proof.

Instead, you must provide the California DMV with one of the following documents:. A “ To Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools " document (Form DL 33). The out-of-state school you most recently attended must complete this form. You can get this form from your local DMV office or by calling (800) 777-0133.

It is not available for download. A letter from your out-of-state secondary school on the school's stationery that is signed by a school official stating the courses you have taken are equivalent to a California secondary school driver's education course. California Learner's Permit Requirements. If you want to get your California provisional permit you must be at least 15 1/2 years old.

If you are younger than 17 1/2 years old you will be required to complete Driver's Ed. Here's what you need to do:.

First: Complete a state-approved driver education course that consists of:. 30 hours of classroom instruction. This classroom instruction may be completed through:. California secondary school classes. A state-licensed professional driving school course. An internet training program. as long as it meets the requirement of 30 hours.

6 hours of driver training. Your driver training cannot exceed 2 hours per day and if you're observing another driver in the car, that time does not count toward your requirement of 6 hours. Save Time & Do Your Driver's Ed Online. Did you know that you can take your driver's education course in the comfort of your own home. It's true! Now you can study online, when and where you want and you'll have access to your course 24/7. Second: Once you have completed Driver's Ed it's time to visit your local DMV and take your Learner's Permit Exam. For faster service make an appointment.

Here's what you'll need to bring:. A completed Driver License or Identification Card Application (Form DL 44). This form must be picked up at the DMV in person and cannot be downloaded, photocopied or faxed.

Be sure to have your parents or guardians sign the application. Proof of Social Security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are at the DMV. Your original birth certificate.

or a certified copy of your original birth certificate. Proof of identity and lawful U. presence (e.

unexpired U. passport, Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization, original or certified birth certificate).

If you're over 17 1/2 years old, but not yet 18 years old, you do not have to provide certificates of completion for driver's education and driver training. However, you must wait until you're 18 years old to take the driving test. Here's what you'll need to do:. Pass a vision exam.

Pass the written permit test. Have your picture taken.

Provide a thumbprint. Pay the application fee. Pass Your Permit Exam on The FIRST TRY.

To help you prepare for your written exam the DMV offers a basic practice test. In addition to this test, we suggest studying with an online practice test provided by our certified partner. These comprehensive study helpers have been designed for your success. Taking the DMV Written California Permit Test. The DMV written permit test contains written questions about California traffic laws, road signs, and rules of safe driving. There are 46 questions on the exam. A passing score is at least 38 correct answers.

You will have 3 chances to pass. If you fail the exam. the DMV requires you to wait 7 days before taking the permit test again. Once you pass the written permit test and pay $33, you'll earn your provisional permit. The $33 fee covers a total of 3 exams within a 12 months period and pays for your provisional learner's permit and driver's license. However, if all requirements are not met within a period of 12 months, the application is considered void and you must repeat all steps mentioned above. California Learner's Permit Restrictions.

With a provisional learner's permit in your possession, it's illegal for you to drive alone at any time. If you do drive, a parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years old or older who has a valid CA driver's license must be with you and seated close enough to take control of the vehicle if necessary. Lost or Expired Learner's Permit.